There is a story in the Old Testament that has always blessed my heart. It’s about a king named Hezekiah and what he did during a time of trouble.
The Bible tells us that Hezekiah was a good king and that he sought to please the Lord in everything he did. During his reign, the king of Assyria invaded Judah and captured many of the villages. Then the king sent a threatening letter to Hezekiah that contained these words –
Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…ESV
We spent several days last week studying this verse of scripture and therefore we will not at this time go into any great detail again. However, I thought it would be a blessing to take a moment and follow up yesterday’s study with this important verse.
Hebrews 11:36 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated– 38 of whom the world was not worthy–wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth… 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…ESV
Who is the greatest person you have met or known? Perhaps some of us would name a politician or a famous entertainer. Maybe some of us would refer to someone who was a multimillionaire. Each of these may be great in their own way, but the Bible says the greatest who have ever lived upon this earth are those who have faithfully suffered for the cause of Christ.
Hebrews 11:35 …and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
Hebrews 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
One cannot read the stories of these great men and women of God and not be inspired. Through the power of their faith, many have done many wonderful things. Through faith Gideon and his army of only 300 turned to flight an army of over 100,000. Through faith the shepherd boy David stood up to the giant Goliath and slew him. Through faith the three Hebrew children withstood the flames of the fiery furnace.
1 John 5:14 …and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
When I was a boy we used to sing a song in church entitled – ‘Faith is the Victory!’ Perhaps you will remember these words:
On every hand the foe we find
Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind,
And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head,
With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ’neath our tread,
And echo with our shout.
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.
(John H. Yates, 1891)
As you study through Hebrews 11, you can find many who were able to sing the song of victory.
Hebrews 11 is one of the great chapters in all of the Bible. It is often called – ‘God’s Heroes of Faith’, or ‘Faith’s Hall of Fame.’ A careful study of this rich chapter will reveal three important truths. God’s Heroes:
1) Chose God Over the World
2) Obeyed God in Whatever He Said
3) Were Rewarded for Their Great Faith
Hebrews 11:7 It was by faith that Noah heard God’s warnings about things he could not yet see. He obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family. NCV
Hebrews 11:17 It was by faith that Abraham, when God tested him, offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice. God made the promises to Abraham, but Abraham was ready to offer his own son as a sacrifice. NCV
Hebrews 11:23 It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born. They saw that Moses was a beautiful baby, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s order. NCV
Hebrews 11:29 It was by faith that the people crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land. NCV
Hebrews 11:30 It was by faith that the walls of Jericho fell after the people had marched around them for seven days. NCV
Hebrews 11:31 It was by faith that Rahab, the prostitute, welcomed the spies and was not killed with those who refused to obey God. NCV
It is hard to know where to stop with listing these verses, yet perhaps what I have included will help us get the point. God’s Heroes of Faith:
1) Chose God Over the World (see yesterday’s devotional)
2) Obeyed God in Whatever He Said
